IDF Considers Recognizing PTSD from “Immoral Orders,” Sparking Heated Debate
The IDF is considering recognizing PTSD caused by moral distress in addition to combat trauma, leading to fierce internal debate over ethics, discipline, and soldier well-being.
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In a groundbreaking and divisive move, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are exploring a policy to recognize post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among soldiers not only from combat exposure but also from moral distress caused by carrying out orders deemed “immoral.” First reported by Channel 14 News and detailed by Hallel Bitton Rosen, the initiative has ignited fierce controversy within the IDF’s mental health unit, with internal communications warning of a “problematic” and “ultra-progressive” approach that focuses solely on soldiers’ narratives without broader context.
According to a leaked WhatsApp group chat among IDF mental health officers, the proposed policy would allow soldiers struggling with the moral implications of their orders to be classified as suffering from PTSD. Critics within the unit argue this approach is “highly unprofessional” and risks scrutinizing the IDF’s own morality rather than providing balanced treatment. They describe it as having a “clear bias” that prioritizes soldiers’ subjective feelings over objective circumstances, potentially undermining military discipline.
The IDF has scheduled a training seminar, with official invitations already sent, to deepen understanding of this concept, known as “moral injury” in global medical literature. The seminar aims to equip mental health professionals to identify and treat soldiers distressed by actions they perceive as ethically wrong, a phenomenon recognized worldwide but rarely applied in this context.
In a statement, the IDF emphasized its apolitical stance, saying, “The IDF is a professional body subordinate to the political echelon, with no room for political discourse of any kind.” It clarified that the training addresses “identity-moral injury,” a recognized medical condition stemming from traumatic events, including combat, and is not about judging the morality of specific actions or tied to soldiers’ political views. The goal, the IDF said, is to identify and support soldiers experiencing this distress, strengthening their mental resilience and reducing PTSD symptoms.
“These professional trainings aim to protect the health and resilience of our fighters. Any attempt to attribute political motives to them is mistaken and misleading,” the statement added, reaffirming the IDF’s commitment to its personnel’s well-being.
X users like @Osint613 warn the policy could “weaken morale,” while others, like @Yaronara, argue it reflects a necessary reckoning with the psychological toll of prolonged conflict.